Vibration eliminating means for refrigerating systems



Aug. 6, 1935- M. w. KENNEY VIBRATION ELIMINATING MEANS FOR REFRIGERATING SYSTEMS Filed March 15, 1933 Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE Mahlon W. Kenney, Berwyn, Ill., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to General Household Utilities Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application March 13, 1933, Serial No. 660,446

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to refrigerating systems and more particularly to means for eliminating transmission of vibrations therein.

In refrigerating systems of the type herein disclosed, there is a circuit containing a given quantity of fluid refrigerant, the circuit comprising an evaporating means whereby the refrigerant is converted from liquid to gaseous or vaporous state for absorption of heat from the medium (air) surrounding the evaporating means, and means for converting the refrigerant from gaseous or vaporous state to liquid state as also to effect circulation in the system. This converting means comprises an exhauster and compressor usually termed a pump, and a cooling means usu ally termed a condenser. An electric motor operates the converting means and the whole is usually termed the power unit. The evaporating means and the power unit are usually located in different parts of the refrigerator box or cabinet and are connected by ducts, one for supplying liquid refrigerant to the evaporating means and another for conducting the vapors from the evaporating means. The power unit usually produces or sets up vibrations, such as mechanical movements of the parts, and sound. 7

The present invention comprehends in such a system the provision of means for eliminating and preventing the transmission of vibrations of any kind.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a. novel means which will not only dampen the vibrations set up and produced by the power unit but also will arrest and prevent transmission of such vibrations. Such a means may be provided by making a section or segment of the duct connected to the evaporator and to the pump of the power unit with convoluted walls such that these walls may flex and yield in any direction with such compliance as to absorb and arrest any and all vibrations reaching it. It is preferable that this section be located in the duct proximate to the power unit. The section may be a separate duct part having means, such as flanges, at its ends for joining to adjacent ends of the duct.

Other objects, advantages. capabilities and features are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and as are inherently possessed by the invention.

Referring to the drawing; 7

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerating system embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through a duct section before the section is joined to the adjacent ends of the duct;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the joining of the section with the adjacent ends of the duct; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sectional views taken in planes represented by lines 44 and 5-5 in Figs. 2 and 3 respectively.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, an illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in connection with a refrigerating system comprising an evaporator l, a pump 2, a condenser 3, a trap 4, and ducts 5 and 6. The arrangement is in the form of a closed circuit which contains a given quantity of fluid refrigerant, such as dichloromethane or similar fluid having the same or substantially the same physical properties.

The evaporator comprises a drum 1 connected at its lower part with circulating tubes 8 which surround or embrace a box 9 having shelves ID for holding ice trays and the like. At one side is a chamber I I connected to all the tubes 8 and also to the duct 6, whereby liquid refrigerant from the condenser and trap, may be supplied into the chamber II and thence into all the tubes 8 for circulation in the tubes 8 and the chamber or drum 1. The duct 5 is connected to an end of the drum 1 and serves as an outlet or exhaust passage for the vapors produced in the evaporator.

The pump 2 is preferably of the rotary piston type and is operated by a motor l2 the shaft l3 of which finds its bearings in the casing of the pump 2. On the shaft is secured a fan I 4 adapted to cause a flow of cooling air through the condenser 3, the latter comprising a serpentine duct I 5 and a group of cooling fins IS. The trap comprises a chamber l I of suflicient capacity to hold the whole charge of the refrigerant when in liquid state, and has a float therein connected to a valve adapted to control the flow of the liquid refrigerant to the duct 6 and'hence to the evaporator.

On the inlet or exhaust side of the pump 2 is connected 2. check valve l8 to which leads a duct l9.

The pump 2, the motor l2, the fan It and other connected parts are usually collectively regarded as the power unit. The evaporator is usually located at some other part of the refrigerator and -connected to the power unit by way of ducts such as ducts 6 and 5.

The ducts 5 and I9 are alined and have their ends 20 and 2| in spaced relation and provided with flanges 22 and 23. In this space is located a. duct section 24 the walls of which are formed in a series of folds or convolutions 25 and the ends of which are formed with flanges 2d and 27! which may be spun inwardly over the flanges 22 and 23 of the ducts and I9, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. In this way the flanges are so joined or sealed together to form liquid and gas tight joints.

The folds or convolutions 25 are flexible, resilient, or pliant in any direction with sufiicient compliance to absorb any and all vibrations that may be conducted and transmitted to it from the pump 22 and motor l2 and other parts of the power unit, by way of the duct i9. It is preferable that the duct section 26 be located .close and near to the power unit so as to arrest and eliminate transmission of vibrations to the duct 5 and the parts connected to it. The duct section 24 and the'ducts 5 and is are of metal.

In operation, whatever vibration the power unit may set up and produce and which may be transmitted by way of the check valve it and the duct l9 to the duct section Zl, is dampened, absorbed and arrested by theresilient flexible and pliant folds or convolutions of the duct section 25, so that there is an elimination of such vibrations thereat, and there is no transmission of the vibrations to-the duct 5 and the parts connected to it.

While I have herein described and upon the drawing shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, details, arrangements of parts and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus disclosed the invention,

I claim:

1. A refrigerating system comprising a circuit containing a fluid refrigerant and a power unit for operating the system, a flexible duct section the walls of which are convoluted for compliance in any direction to eliminate transmission of vibrations from the power unit to the remainder of the system, said section being located in the circuit near .said power unit.

5 in the circuit near said power unit, the ends of said section having flanges for connection to the connecting portions of said circuit.

3. A refrigerating system comprising a circuit containing a fluid refrigerant and a power unit for operating the system, a flexible duct section the walls of which are convoluted for compliance in any direction to eliminate transmission of vibrations from the power unit to the remainder of the system, said section being located in the circuit near said power unit, the ends of said section having flanges, said circuit having flanges joined to the flanges of said section.

4. A refrigerating system comprising a circuit containing a fluid refrigerant and a power unit for operating the system, a flexible duct section the walls of which are convoluted for compliance in any direction to eliminate transmission of vibrations from the power unit to the remainder of the system, said section being located in the circuit near said power unit, said circuit having flanges connected to the ends of said section, said sections having at its ends spunover portions forming closed joints with said flanges.

5. A refrigerating system comprising a circuit containing a fluid refrigerant and a power unit for operating the system, a duct for conducting vapors to said unit and a part of said duct having flexible walls which are so compliant as to absorb vibrations produced by said unit and to eliminate transmission of said vibrations beyond said flexible part of said duct.

6. A refrigerating system comprising a circuit containing a fluid refrigerant and a power unit for operating the system, a resilient duct section the walls of which are convoluted for compliance in any direction to eliminate transmission of vibrations from the power unit to the remainder of the system, said section being located in the circuit near said power unit.

7. A refrigerating system comprising a circuit containing a fluid refrigerant and a power unit for operating the system, a resilient duct section the walls of which are convoluted for compliance in any direction to eliminate transmission of vibrations from the power unit to the remainder of the system, said section being located in the circuit near said power unit, the ends of said section having flanges for connection to the connecting portions of said circuit.

8. A refrigerating system comprising a circuit containing a fluid refrigerant and a power unit for operating the system, a resilient duct section the walls of which are convoluted for compliance in any direction to eliminate transmission of vibrations from the power unit to the remainder of the system, said section being located in the circuit near said power unit, the ends of said section having flanges, said circuit having flanges joined to the flanges of said section.

9. A refrigerating system comprising a circuit containing a fluid refrigerant and a power unit for operating the system, a resilient duct section the walls of which are convoluted for compliance in any direction to eliminate transmission of vibrations from the power unit to the remainder of the system, said section being located in the circuit near said power unit, said circuit having flanges connected to the ends of said section,

said sections having at its ends spunover por' tions forming closed joints with said flanges.

10. A refrigerating system comprising a circuit containing a fluid refrigerant and a power unit for operating the system, a duct for conducting vapors to said unit, apart of said duct having flexible, resilient walls which are so compliant as to absorb vibrations produced by said unit and to eliminate transmission of said vibrations beyond said part.

11. A means for eliminating vibration in a refrigerating system having a power unit, an evaporator and ducts connecting the same, comprising a flexible resilient duct section the walls of which'are convoluted for compliance in any direction to eliminate transmission of vibrations from the power unit to the remainder of the system, said section being located in the circuit near said power unit, the ends of said section having flanges for connection to the connecting .portions of said circuit.

12. A means for eliminating vibration in a refrigerating system having a power unit connected to the remainder of the system by ducts, compris ing a resilient duct section the walls of which are convoluted for compliance in any direction.

MAHLON W. KENNEY 

